As each of us landed,
our guide again laid his fingers on his lips and bowed deeply,
at the same time ordering back the crowds which had assembled
to gaze on us. The last to leave the canoe was the girl we had
picked out of the water, for whom her companion was waiting.
Before she went away she kissed my hand, I suppose as a token
of gratitude for having saved her from the fury of the hippopotamus;
and it seemed to me that she had by this time quite got over
any fear she might have had of us, and was by no means anxious
to return in such a hurry to her lawful owners. At any rate,
she was going to kiss Good's hand as well as mine, when the young
man interfered and led her off. As soon as we were on shore,
a number of the men who had rowed the big boat took possession
of our few goods and chattels, and started with them up the splendid
staircase, our guide indicating to us by means of motions that
the things were perfectly safe. This done, he turned to the
right and led the way to a small house, which was, as I afterwards
discovered, an inn. Entering into a good-sized room, we saw
that a wooden table was already furnished with food, presumably
in preparation for us. Here our guide motioned us to be seated
on a bench that ran the length of the table.
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